Being overweight can lead to excessive stress on your feet, especially on your heels, and result in a wide variety of foot ailments that can lead to pain while walking, exercising or even sitting. Even a small weight loss, however, may alleviate foot pain. Always consult your doctor if you are planning to lose weight or if you experience persistent foot pain.
Conditions
While you may not realize it, being overweight changes the way your feet move when you walk and perform all sorts of weight-bearing activities. Extra weight makes your steps shorter and causes your foot to angle outward as you move. This can significantly decrease the arch of your foot. Obesity can lead to greater incidences of foot pain and injuries, according to the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington. Conditions can include tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, fractures, sprains, stress fractures and pain in the balls of your feet.
Orthotics
Orthotics can help to minimize the force of your body weight on your feet. Orthotics can be used to help prevent and treat foot problems -- including tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and arthritis -- caused as the result of obesity. They serve to better support your feet as well as absorb shock. Shock absorption helps to decrease the excessive stress placed on your joints, which can reduce your risk of developing arthritis. Properly fitting orthotics can help to relieve your pain. Consult a doctor if you are considering the use of orthotics.
Other Treatments
Wearing properly fitting shoes can help alleviate pain felt in your feet -- including pain felt from tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and arthritis. Properly fitting shoes can also help to reduce your risk of developing a stress fracture or a traumatic injury to your foot such as sprains or fractures. Shoes should have plenty of room in the toes which allows you to wiggle your toes. You should have 1/2 inch of space between your big toe and the tip of your shoe. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the pain felt in your feet. Stretching and strengthening exercises can also help alleviate the pain felt in your feet. Stretches can include rolling a can on the bottom of your foot, making circles with your ankles, picking up small objects with your toes and walking on your toes and heels.
Lifestyle Modification
Weight loss is the best means of reducing foot pain caused by obesity. Talk to your family physician, a dietitian or personal trainer about your weight-loss goals. Start by exercising three to five times per week for 30 minutes at a time. Try swimming or riding a stationary bike. These exercises will burn calories without aggravating your feet. You will also need to eat a healthful diet. Eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
